Mortar spreader



Feb. 22, 1949. T. KIMQRA 2,462,644

MORTAR SPREADER Filed April 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Shee't 1 A fg- Feb. 22,1949. T. KIMURA 2,462,644

MORTAR S PREADER Filed April 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 22,1949 MORTAR SPREADER Tsuchinojo Kimura, Mountain View, Calif., as-

signer of fifteen per cent to Byron Ver Ploeg,

Oskaloosa, Iowa Application April 5, 1946, Serial No. 659,771

(Cl. I2-128)- 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improVements and structuralrenements in mortar spreaders and the principal object of the inventionis to provide a device of the character herein described, whereby mortarmay be applied to courses of masonry such as bricks, stone, concreteblocks, or the like, in a novel, systematic and a highly efficientmanner.

Generally, the invention consists of a matrix adapted for positioning onthe course of masonry, the mortar being applied to this matrix anddistributed by an associated spreader plate. The spreader plate entersthe matrix to a predetermined depth and not only serves to distributethe mortar equally, but also assures that the density and thickness ofthe mortar are uniform throughout the entire area to which it isapplied. In addition, the spreader plate has a compressive action whichsubstantially minimizes the formation of air bubbles, and all surplusmortar gathers at one end oi the matrix where it can be convenientlyreclaimed to prevent waste. In the instance of concrete block masonrywhere the blocks are formed with cored holes, provision is made in thematrix to prevent the mortar from flowing into such holes, and thematrix is also adapted to accommodate reinforcing rods, such as areusually employed in concrete masonry. Finally, means is provided on thespreader plate for forcing mortar between the adjacent ends of thebricks or blocks as well as for spreading the same on the upper surfacesthereof, thereby eliminating the necessity of separately performing theformer operation.

It will thus be apparent that by using the invention, the mortarspreading operation may be performed with relatively greater speed andeciency than has heretofore been possible and thatV which cannot easilybecome struction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a. fragmentary perspective view, showing a course ofconcrete blocks and mortar applied thereto by the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the matrix,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the spreader plate,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View, showing the invention in use,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View, illustrating a course ofbricks and mortar applied thereto,

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a modied embodiment of the matrix, thesame being adapted for use with bricks,

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the spreader plate used with thematrix shown in Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the modified matrix inuse,

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a further modified embodiment of thematrix,

Figure l0 is a plan View of the spreader plate assembly used with thematrix shown in Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a plan view of the spreader plate per se, and

Figure 12 is a plan view of a pusher plate used with the plate in Figure11 to form the assembly of Figure 10.

Like characters of reference are used to designate like parts in thespecification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, more particularly to theFigures 1 to 4 inclusively, the invention consists of the matrixdesignated generally by the reference character I5 and the spreaderplate I6.

The matrix I5 comprises a pair of spaced parallel side members II,connected together by the end pieces I8 and by the intermediate strutsI. In effect, the end pieces I8 are formed by a perimetric strip 20,this being secured to the sideV members I'I by suitable bolts 2|, thelatter also being Iused to attach the side strips 22 to the side'-members, for the purpose of supporting the struts The matrix is of anelongated form and a longitudinal strut 23 connects the ends pieces I8and intersects the struts I9, as will be clearly apparent from theaccompanying drawings.

The core blocks 24 are provided at the intersection of the struts I9 and23 and further core blocks 25 are formed at the junction of the struts23 with the end pieces I8. v

The inner lower edge portions of the side members I1 are bevelleddownwardly and outwardly as indicated at 26 and the inner upper edgeportions are bevelled upwardly and outwardly as at 21. The underside ofone or more oi the blocks 24 and 25 may also be formed with a bevelledportion 28, the purpose of which will presently be described.

The matrix I isv adapted for application to a course of masonry such asthe concrete blocks 29, this being best shown in Figure 4. It will benoted that the bevelled portions 26 will assist in the application ofthe matrix to the blocks and the bevelled portion 28 will engage one'ofYthe core-d holes 30 usually providedy in the blocks 29, the portion 28thus serving to center the matrix in position.

The blocks 24 and 25 will effectively cover the holes 30 to prevent theflowing of mortar vthereinto, the mortar being poured or otherwisesuitably applied to the matrix, approximately to-or slightly above thelevel of the upper edges of the struts I9, 23.

The spreader plate i6 is then used to distribute the mortar, this plateconsisting'of a holder 3l provided with a suitable slot 32 to form aconvenient-handle, and :a blade 33. is secured. to the holder 3| by thescrews or bolts 34.

The lower cornersy of the blade 33 are cham.- fered as at 35 inconformity with the bevelled-portions 2;'I and when' the spreaderisplacedrn. use, itis' slid along. the; upper.. edges of the side membersI1, as will be clearly apparent from theac.- companyingdrawings.I Theblade 33 will extend into the matrix- I5 tov a predetermined depth,thereby assuring that the mortar 36 is of uniformthickness.

The outwardly bevelled. edges 21 will add a trough-like eITect to thematrix and as the scraper I6 is operated, the surplus mortar'will bepushed toward one end ofthe matrix, wherefrom it may subsequently beconveniently reclaimed. If 1desired', the invention maybe used in pairs,ther same being longitudinally aligned and placed end-toend, and thesurplus mortar from one matrix being pushed into the matrix adjacentthereto. When this operationis completed, the rstmatrix mayv again bepositionedv adjacent to-the second and the waste eliminating andtime-saving character of the. invention thus becomes readily apparent.V

It will be noted that by applying even pressure to the spreader plate.I6, thelayer of mortar 36 will' possess uniform density. This pressureis applied by tilting the spreader forwardly inits` direction of traveland the formation of air bubbles in the mortar will"also be therebyeliminated.

After the matrix is removed from the masonry, themortar will assume theform best illustrated inFigur'e l, wherein the openings 31 were formedby the blocks. 24, 25, over each of the coredholes 30 If desired,suitable reinforcing rods 38 may bev passed' through the' masonry, aslw'ill'rbe clearlyl apparent from the accompanying ydrawings'.-

With reference now' to the accompanyingV Figures 5to 8"in'clusively;tlresame illustrate a modied embodiment of the invention, adapted forthe applicationv of mortar to courses of bricks and consisting of thematrix 39 and the spreader plate 40.

The matrix 39 consists of a perimetric strap 4I forming the side stripsand end pieces 42 and' 43 respectively, and supporting the intermediatestruts-44'.

The side members 56 are suitably secured tothe lil strips 42, themembers 45 being formed with the upper and lower bevelled portions 46,41 respectively.

The spreader plate 40 is formed with a linger slot 48 and a handle 43,the blade 50 being formed integrally with the body of the spreader andprovided with bevelled side edges 5I.

When this embodiment of thev invention is placed in use, the matrixisapplied to the course of bricks 52 and the layer of mortar 53 is formedin the manner already described. It should be pointed out that in thisembodiment, as in the one already set forth, the struts I 9, 23, 44,Will leave a slot, so to speak, in the layer of mortar when the matrixis removed. This condition is indicated in the two embodiments by thephantom lines 54, 55 respectively, but it should be understood that thewidth of such slot is relatively so small that the semi-uid consistencyof the setting mortar will automatically engulf the same, withoutdetrimental effects.

lnY the two foregoing embodiments of theinvention, the layer of mortarhas beenV applied onlyto the top surfaces of the bricksor blocks, whilethe mortar 56, 51 between the adjacent. ends of theV bricks. or blocksrespectively, would;

necessarily have to be individually applied.v before che bricks orblocks are positioned in the course.

To eliminate this necessity and to substantially increase the utility ofthe invention, the further modified'embodiment of the matrix andspreader plate has been designed, as illustrated in Figures 8 to ilinclusively.

rThis additional embodiment may be applied t0 either or both theconcrete block' and the brick variations `of the invention, andconsistsV of'pro- Viding the side members 58 of the matrix 59 with;

a pair of elongated.. dove-tailed recesses eil, the same being disposedin the inner surfaces adviacent the. upper edges of the side members, as

, and extending to one side thereof. The plate Si.

also formed with a pair of projecting ears 64, the latter being adaptedfor slidable engagement with the recesses eil when the spreader isinserted` into the matrix 59.

The side edges 55 of the plate 62 are inturnedV to form suitable guidechannels and a pusher plate 65 is slidable in these channels, for thepurpose presently to be described.

The plate E5 is also formed at one end thereof with a suitable hand grip51, this being disposed at the relatively opposite side to the handle63, in order that the handle and the hand grip do interfere as the plateis manipulated in the plate 52.

When this embodiment of the invention is placed in use, the presser E!as a whole is positioned in the matrix with the ears 54 engaging the.recessesill` and byV raising the` plate 66 sc that thelcwer edgeA 58thereof. is above thelower edge the plate G2, and by sliding` theassembly 6I longitudinally in the matrix, the lower edge 69 willdistribute and compress the horizontal layers of mortar (35, 53), in themanner already described.

Simultaneously, the spaces between the adjacent ends of the bricks orblocks may be effectively filled by sliding the plate 56 upwardly anddownwardly a number of times in the plate 62,

so that the lower edge `(i8 will force the mortar into-the spaces; asshown at 56 and 51. The increased utility of the invention thus becomesclearly apparent.

1t will be noted that the inner lower edge portions 'I of the sidemembers 58 are not bevelled as were the aforementioned edge portions 28,the portions 'i6 being substantially straight to prevent the oozing ofmortar outwardly from the spaces 53 and 5?. If the straight walls 16 aredetrimental to convenient positioning of the matrix on the course ofmasonry, the lower portions of the side Vmembers 58 may be hinged andpermitted to swing outwardly while the matrix is being applied. Aftersuch application is made, the hinged portions may be swung against themasonry and securely locked in position.

Such modication however, is only a mechanical expedient which is to betaken into consideration when the invention is being `Constructed foruse and it should be noted in this connection, that various combinationsof the components herein described may eventually be employed, such asthe possible use of the plate 62 in association with the matrix 39, withthe recesses 7| of the ears 64 sliding on the upper edges of the sidemembers 45.

Therefore, while in the foregoing there has been shown and described thepreferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minorchanges in the details of construction, Combinan tion and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

Jl/"hat I claim as my invention is:

A mortar spreading apparatus comprising in combination, a matrix adaptedfor positioning upon the work and including a. pair of spaced parallelside pieces, a spreader comprising a substantially upright platepositioned between said side pieces, said plate including awork-contacting lower edge portion, a handle provided at the upper edgeof said plate, a pair of laterally projecting ears formed at the sideedges of said plate adjacent said upper edge, said ears slidablyengaging said side pieces, the remaining side edge portions of saidplate being inturned and doubled upon themselves to form a pair ofspaced parallel guide channels, a panel slidably positioned in saidchannels, the lower edge portion of said panel being retractablyprojectable beyond said work-contacting edge portion, and a hand gripprovided at the upper edge of said panel.

TSUCHINOJO KIMURA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 856,363 Ormsby June 11, 19071,082,802 Full Dec. 30, 1913 1,130,532 Neuberger Mar. 2, 1915 1,423,316Giovagnoli July 18, 1922 1,478,776 Walker Dec. 25, 1923 1,833,582Kavanagh Nov. 24, 1931 1,988,746 Neptune Jan. 22, 1935 2,094,703 HitzmanOct. 5, 1937 2,179,563 Sassano Nov. 14, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 43,012 Sweden 1917 118,145 Switzerland 1926

